Recognising Pearson Test of English General
PTE GENERAL
2 Recognising Pearson Test of English General | pearson.com/ptegeneral
Pearson is the world’s leading learning services company, delivering over 130 million tests each year.
As part of Pearson, Edexcel is the United Kingdom’s largest provider of academic and vocational qualifications and offers Pearson Test of English (PTE) General – helping learners demonstrate their English proficiency to schools, universities and governments around the world.
PTE General, originally developed by the University of London in 1985, is created, marked and awarded in England, and accredited by Ofqual (The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation), the national regulator for formal qualifications.
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Pearson Test of English General
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We understand it is a significant decision for universities to accept a test as proof of English proficiency, so we want to ensure you have all the information you need to make the choice with confidence.
PTE General is growing rapidly in popularity around the world. Currently, learners in over 50 countries hold this accurate and reliable qualification.
In many of these countries, the test is already recognised by Ministries of Education and universities. We are committed to expanding this even further to ensure that holders of the qualification are not required to gain another certificate to apply to their chosen university or employer.
Pearson Edexcel’s world-class assessment methodology means you can be certain that learners presenting their qualifications will have a level of English matching your requirements – in practice, as well as on paper.
As a university that recognises PTE General, you can benefit from a listing on the Pearson website. This offers the opportunity to raise awareness of your institution with hundreds of thousands of learners, nationally and around the globe.
PTE General is comparable to Cambridge and Oxford certificates, but with additional reliability, with 100% UK marking and the validity of Ofqual regulation.
Why recognise PTE General?
Comparison with other awarding bodies
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PTE GENERAL
* This means both the written and spoken sections of the test are marked in the UK
4 Recognising Pearson Test of English General | pearson.com/ptegeneral
PTE General allows learners to demonstrate their English language ability at six different levels, each aligned to a level of the Common European Framework of Reference (A1 to C2).
The test is designed to reflect language that learners can expect to encounter in English-speaking environments and has a focus on communicative ability, letting test takers show how well they can use English in practice.
The formal rules of English are tested in the context of question types that mirror how the language is used in real life – from reading comprehension exercises based on newspaper and magazine articles to extended writing items asking test takers to express an opinion and advance an argument.
Each level of PTE General measures Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing.
What does the test assess?
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PTE General is regulated by Ofqual, the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation for England, an independent body reporting directly to Parliament.
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofqual
Test certificates reflect the Ofqual qualification title, the commercial name and the CEFR level of each test.
The PTE General delivery process follows that of the UK’s national school qualifications – GCSEs and A-Levels. The test is only delivered at approved Pearson Edexcel test centres, typically schools and universities.
To become a test centre, institutions must go through a rigorous approval process managed by a team based in London. Approval is only granted where schools can demonstrate they have the capacity to deliver the tests correctly and securely.
Prospective centres are typically inspected by Pearson staff, undergo an independent Due Diligence review, and sign formal terms and conditions relating to their conduct. Approval is contingent on the following of best practice and can be withdrawn at any time.
Regulation and delivery
Ofqual title
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Pearson Edexcel Certificate in ESOL International Entry 1 (A1)
PTE General Level A1 A1
Pearson Edexcel Certificate in ESOL International Entry 2 (A2)
PTE General Level A2 A2
Pearson Edexcel Certificate in ESOL International Entry 3 (B1)
PTE General Level B1 B1
Pearson Edexcel Certificate in ESOL International Level 1 (B2)
PTE General Level B2 B2
Pearson Edexcel Certificate in ESOL International Level 2 (C1)
PTE General Level C1 C1
Pearson Edexcel Certificate in ESOL International Level 3 (C2)
PTE General Level C2 C2
6 Recognising Pearson Test of English General | pearson.com/ptegeneral
PTE General assesses Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing skills, and consists of nine sections, including multiple-choice, short answer and extended writing items.
The test is divided into two sessions: Session one: Test of Speaking, in the form of an oral interview Session two: Test of Listening, Reading and Writing
Completed test scripts are returned to the UK for processing at Pearson’s high-tech site in Hellaby, Yorkshire. Each year, millions of papers are scanned, digitised at Hellaby and sent to examiners around the country for on-screen marking.
This system not only reduces the risk of papers going missing, but ensures the highest standard of marking, which can be easily and rigorously regulated. Senior Examiners carefully scrutinise the work of markers in real time, flagging any issues or reassigning the work if markers do not meet the required standard.
Learners’ work is fully anonymised, so markers cannot identify whose work they are marking or where in the world the candidate is from.
The Speaking section of the test is conducted as an interview and typically returned to the UK in a digital format (MP3). These files are similarly sent to markers around the UK electronically via a Secure File Transfer system. Just as with the other sections, samples of the Speaking section are checked by Senior Examiners to ensure consistency and accuracy.
Centralising marking in the UK also means that all candidates around the world are judged against the same criteria.
Test structure and marking
Test level
Session one – time
Session two – time
Foundation (A1) 5 minutes 1 hour and 15 minutes
Level 1 (A2) 5 minutes 1 hour and 35 minutes
Level 2 (B1) 7 minutes 1 hour and 35 minutes
Level 3 (B2) 7 minutes 2 hours
Level 4 (C1) 8 minutes 2 hours and 30 minutes
Level 5 (C2) 8 minutes 2 hours and 55 minutes
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Established in 1844, Pearson is the world’s largest learning company – and throughout our rich and varied history, we have grown a deep connection with the world of English language.
The historic brand now known as Pearson Longman published Samuel Johnson’s famous Dictionary of the English Language in 1755. We purchased Lindley Murray’s important English Grammar in 1799, and in the 1800s published McCulloch’s Commercial Dictionary, alongside great English language classics such as Robinson Crusoe.
We’ve built world-famous newspapers and publications, and been one of the largest ever book publishers globally.
Our roots in education date back to 1968, but it was in 2015 that we decided to focus our entire operation on creating a more connected and prosperous society through learning.
Our education and examination body, Edexcel, incorporates many prestigious examination boards, including the University of London Examinations and Assessment Council (ULEAC), offering internationally recognised qualifications, including PTE General.
The delivery of world-class English language assessment is – and will continue to be – a vital part of Pearson’s vision.
175 years of
excellence
8 Recognising Pearson Test of English General | pearson.com/ptegeneral
From late 2020, PTE General will be offered in two formats: the traditional paper-based test with a face-to-face speaking interview, and a new, entirely computer-based version using Pearson’s cutting-edge artificial intelligence scoring technology.
The computer-based version will offer benefits such as:
• quick turnaround time on scoring (within one week)• flexible, on-demand delivery throughout the year• advanced student analytics and data to inform
remediation and progression• artificial intelligence-marked speaking to reduce implicit
human bias
Paper-based and computer-based testing
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To start accepting PTE General at your institution, simply complete the online form found here: https://pearson.formstack.com/forms/ptegeneral_recognition_registration
To see a list of universities in your country who already recognise PTE General, please go to pearson.com/ptegeneral and click on ‘Where is it accepted’.
How to recognise PTE General
Awarding body
CEFR level, which reflects the student’s overall English language ability and is based on performance throughout the test
England’s organisation for overseeing qualifications
10 Recognising Pearson Test of English General | pearson.com/ptegeneral
What educators are saying about PTE General
“ PTE General certifies, more precisely than any other certification on the market, the real English level of the student and their ability to use the language in the real world.
The format doesn’t demand so much exclusive preparation in exam strategies as other qualifications, which makes the organisation in the schools easier because students don’t dedicate the whole morning to an exam and can continue with their daily routine. This way we can dedicate more time to teaching students English, not only preparing for an exam.”> Programme Administrator delivering PTE General,
Instituto de Escuela Secundaria (Spain)
“ PTE General reflects the main objective of our courses: the development of communicative skills. It concentrates on real communication and contextualised interaction. Moreover, PTE General’s vision of English as a global language caters for non-native students’ needs. Its fees are also realistic and take into consideration students from low-income families.”> Analía, Exams Coordinator for the Language
Extension Programs, Universidad Nacional de Catamarca (Argentina)
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“ PTE General offers a pertinent model - both educational and formative - for the youth of the 21st century.”> Ing. Paulino Bernot Silis,
Dean at PrepaTec (Mexico)
“ The certification that Pearson offers through PTE General has great value for students and… gives credibility to the academic process. We are fulfilling our promise that students can effectively communicate in English when they graduate.”> Lic. Maria Jose Pineda Garin,
Academic Director at PrepaTec (Mexico)
“ English is a precious tool for our students to be ready for global opportunities, and after an extensive analysis and report conducted by our English teaching staff, we consider that Pearson’s certification provides accurate results in terms of the candidate’s ability to use language.”> Dr Leticia Bourges, Secretary of
Institutional and International Affairs, Universidad del Centro Educativo Latinoamericano (Argentina)
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